US9771711B1 - Indoor grease trap with multiple plumber fitting possibilities - Google Patents

Indoor grease trap with multiple plumber fitting possibilities Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US9771711B1
US9771711B1 US14/957,779 US201514957779A US9771711B1 US 9771711 B1 US9771711 B1 US 9771711B1 US 201514957779 A US201514957779 A US 201514957779A US 9771711 B1 US9771711 B1 US 9771711B1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
plumbing
housing
fog
fitting
baffle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US14/957,779
Inventor
Randy Batten
William C Batten
Bruce W Kyles
Travis McBride
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thermaco Inc
Original Assignee
Thermaco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thermaco Inc filed Critical Thermaco Inc
Priority to US14/957,779 priority Critical patent/US9771711B1/en
Assigned to THERMACO, INC. reassignment THERMACO, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BATTEN, Randolph, BATTEN, WILLIAM C., MCBRIDE, TRAVIS
Assigned to THERMACO, INC. reassignment THERMACO, INC. CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT ADD INVENTOR BRUCE W. KYLES INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE INITIAL ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038182 FRAME 0289. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Assignors: BATTEN, WILLIAM C., BATTEN, Randolph, KYLES, BRUCE W., MCBRIDE, TRAVIS
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US9771711B1 publication Critical patent/US9771711B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0202—Separation of non-miscible liquids by ab- or adsorption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D17/0211—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation with baffles
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
    • E03F5/00—Sewerage structures
    • E03F5/14—Devices for separating liquid or solid substances from sewage, e.g. sand or sludge traps, rakes or grates
    • E03F5/16—Devices for separating oil, water or grease from sewage in drains leading to the main sewer
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/40—Devices for separating or removing fatty or oily substances or similar floating material
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/002—Grey water, e.g. from clothes washers, showers or dishwashers

Definitions

  • a common installation mode is to install the FOG separator in a commercial kitchen such as a kitchen of a restaurant, food service facility, or the like.
  • the FOG separator is installed between the drain line of the ware washing sink and the connection to the sewer.
  • a plumber installing an FOG separator may be faced with challenges as to how to align the pipes from the ware washing sink correctly to the FOG separator and downstream from the FOG separator to the connection to the sewer.
  • the two fittings will be suited to be on opposite sides of the FOG separator; sometimes they will be on the same end, or require extensive additional piping to line up correctly with the needs of the FOG separator. These challenges can provide extra cost and complication.
  • a housing has a first end having two plumbing fittings and a second end having one plumbing fitting.
  • a baffle mounted inside the housing at the second end forms a barrier to flow of liquid toward the plumbing fitting on the second end above a certain height and allows the flow of liquid past the barrier toward the plumbing fitting on the second end below the certain height.
  • a conduit allows flow of liquid from past the baffle to one of the plumbing fittings on the first end.
  • a plug is included to close one of the three plumbing fittings, and leave available the other two plumbing fittings available for connection to plumbing from a source of effluent and an outlet for grey water, respectively.
  • the housing and baffle are roto-molded.
  • the housing may have an FOG separator positioned between the two ends to separate FOG stratified above the grey water.
  • the FOG separator may include an oleophilic disk that rotates to pull FOG upward to be scraped off to a FOG collector.
  • the plug and the conduit are removably connectable, to enable a plumber in the field to select where to connect the plug and conduit to meet a field installation need.
  • the invention can also be considered as a method of installing an apparatus for separating FOG from grey water in an effluent.
  • the method includes positioning a housing having a first end having two plumbing fittings and a second end having one plumbing fitting between a source of effluent that contains FOG and a connection to a sewer.
  • the so-positioned housing has a baffle mounted inside the housing at the second end that forms a barrier to flow of liquid toward the plumbing fitting on the second end above a certain height, and allows the flow of liquid past the barrier toward the plumbing fitting on the second end below the certain height.
  • the method includes the following four acts, not necessarily in the order recited: a) connecting an inlet pipe to a fitting at an inlet position for the housing to receive effluent from the source of effluent that contains FOG, b) connecting an outlet pipe to a fitting at an outlet position for the housing to discharge grey water to the sewer, c) arranging for a fitting in the housing that is neither the inlet position nor the outlet position to be plugged, and d) installing a conduit within the housing from the outlet position to the baffle.
  • the arranging step may include installing a plug.
  • the arranging step may include removing plugs from the inlet position and the outlet position.
  • the method may include installing a FOG separator between the two ends to separate FOG stratified above the grey water.
  • FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the inside of a housing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inside of the housing of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is an outside end view of one end of the housing of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing with disk skimmer.
  • a housing 12 is provided with two fittings 26 and 27 at one end and another fitting 28 (see FIG. 2 ) at the other end.
  • Shrouding the fitting 28 is a baffle 18 that extends downwardly toward, but not all the way to, the bottom 123 of the housing 12 .
  • the baffle may have a top closed against the inside wall of the housing 12 .
  • the two fittings 26 and 27 on the one end of the housing 12 extend inwardly to provide pipe fittings 120 and 122 inside the housing 12 .
  • the baffle 18 has a pipe fitting 118 provided on it leading to its interior.
  • the housing 12 is provided with a cover (not shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 ) and can serve as a grease trap by itself, simply allowing FOG levels to build up in the housing 12 as effluent passes through it.
  • connection of the housing to an effluent source such as a kitchen sink drain and a downstream sewer fitting can take numerous configurations.
  • a plug 31 is used to close off the fitting 28 .
  • a conduit 19 is connected at the fittings 120 and 118 to establish a flow path from the fitting 26 to the inside of the baffle housing 18 .
  • the fitting 27 can be made the inlet with the effluent being discharged through the discharge 29 (see FIG. 2 ) into the interior of the housing 12 .
  • the FOG which is normally lighter than water, can rise to the top of the effluent held in the housing 12 .
  • the grey water near the bottom 123 therefore, will be relatively free of FOG and can pass under the baffle 18 , through the conduit 19 and exit at fitting 26 to the sewer (not shown) connected at fitting 26 .
  • the plug can be located in the fitting 26 and not at 28 , so that the grey water (the effluent less the FOG) can exit through the fitting 28 (free of a plug) to the connected sewer fitting.
  • the fitting 26 can be plugged, the outlet to the sewer can be connected using fitting 28 , the fitting 118 in the baffle 18 can be plugged, and the conduit 19 can be deleted.
  • conduit 19 can be connected between fitting 118 and fitting 122 , with fitting 26 serving as the inlet, fitting 28 being plugged and fitting 27 serving as the outlet to the connected sewer fitting.
  • this housing construction enables the sewer fitting to be connected at the same side as the effluent inlet, or opposite side, allowing the installer freedom to configure the FOG separator as needed for the environs he or she confronts. Also, either of the fittings 26 and 27 can be selected as the inlet with the other being plugged or connected as the outlet.
  • FIGS. 1 through 3 show a simple grease trap which holds the FOG above the grey water.
  • Periodic servicing can remove the FOG that has collected at the top of the body of effluent in housing 12 .
  • the apparatus can receive additional equipment to facilitate FOG removal.
  • Several ways to remove the collected FOG can be used, including the version seen in FIG. 4 involving a rotating disk skimmer.
  • the FOG removal assembly 10 includes a container 12 with sectional covers 14 a , 14 b , and 14 c .
  • the sectional covers are separate plates, preferably stainless steel.
  • the assembly 10 has at least one rotatable disk 16 (shown in FIG. 4 ) supported by the center sectional cover 14 b .
  • FIG. 4 also depicts a gear drive motor 20 and a trough 22 which are attached to the center sectional cover 14 b .
  • the trough 22 has scraper blades 24 .
  • the gear drive motor 20 supports and rotates the drive sprocket 38 which is cooperatively meshed with peripheral holes in the disk 16 .
  • the separator has a rotating oleophilic disk 16 that is driven for rotation to pick up grease that accumulates at the top of the water held within the outer housing or tank 12 .
  • a collection container can be positioned to catch the oil/grease draining from the trough 22 .
  • These types of grease removal models are known as disk skimmers and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,881, entitled “Assembly for Oil and Grease Removal from Drain Water Mounted to Facilitate Parts Replacement,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. They are available as the Big Dipper line of FOG separators from Thermaco, Inc., of Asheboro, N.C.
  • Other types of supplemental separators in the housing to remove the lighter liquid (FOG) from the inner volume of the housing can be used. Those options include belts that pass through the liquid.
  • the housing 12 can be built to include an openable valve for period removal of collected FOG.
  • an openable valve for period removal of collected FOG.
  • An example of this is seen in the application entitled “Improved Economical Waste Removal System For Fat, Oil and Grease” described in International Patent Publication WO-2014-082037, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. That apparatus enables FOG to be removed from the housing with an openable valve apparatus, with the FOG level being determined by a sight glass indicate when FOG removal is appropriate.
  • a variation within the scope of the broadest claims calls for all three plumbing fittings 26 , 27 and 28 to initially be plugged.
  • a plumber can select two plugs for removal to meet a field installation need. This can entail removing plugs from the inlet position and the outlet position.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for separating FOG from grey water in an effluent includes a housing having a first end having two plumbing fittings and a second end having one plumbing fitting. A baffle mounted inside the housing at the second end forms a barrier to flow of liquid toward the plumbing fitting on the second end above a certain height, and allows the flow of liquid past the barrier toward the plumbing fitting on the second end below the certain height. A conduit allows flow of liquid from past the baffle to one of the plumbing fittings on the first end. A plug closes one of the three plumbing fittings, and leaves the other two plumbing fittings available for connection to plumbing from a source of effluent and an outlet for grey water, respectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Separators to separate fats, oils and grease (FOG) from effluent have been around for a number of years. A common installation mode is to install the FOG separator in a commercial kitchen such as a kitchen of a restaurant, food service facility, or the like. The FOG separator is installed between the drain line of the ware washing sink and the connection to the sewer. Given that a wide range of kitchen geometries may be encountered, a plumber installing an FOG separator may be faced with challenges as to how to align the pipes from the ware washing sink correctly to the FOG separator and downstream from the FOG separator to the connection to the sewer.
Sometimes the two fittings will be suited to be on opposite sides of the FOG separator; sometimes they will be on the same end, or require extensive additional piping to line up correctly with the needs of the FOG separator. These challenges can provide extra cost and complication.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention fulfills one or more of these needs in the art by providing an apparatus for separating FOG from grey water in an effluent. A housing has a first end having two plumbing fittings and a second end having one plumbing fitting. A baffle mounted inside the housing at the second end forms a barrier to flow of liquid toward the plumbing fitting on the second end above a certain height and allows the flow of liquid past the barrier toward the plumbing fitting on the second end below the certain height. A conduit allows flow of liquid from past the baffle to one of the plumbing fittings on the first end. A plug is included to close one of the three plumbing fittings, and leave available the other two plumbing fittings available for connection to plumbing from a source of effluent and an outlet for grey water, respectively.
Preferably, the housing and baffle are roto-molded. The housing may have an FOG separator positioned between the two ends to separate FOG stratified above the grey water. The FOG separator may include an oleophilic disk that rotates to pull FOG upward to be scraped off to a FOG collector. Typically, the plug and the conduit are removably connectable, to enable a plumber in the field to select where to connect the plug and conduit to meet a field installation need.
The invention can also be considered as a method of installing an apparatus for separating FOG from grey water in an effluent. The method includes positioning a housing having a first end having two plumbing fittings and a second end having one plumbing fitting between a source of effluent that contains FOG and a connection to a sewer. The so-positioned housing has a baffle mounted inside the housing at the second end that forms a barrier to flow of liquid toward the plumbing fitting on the second end above a certain height, and allows the flow of liquid past the barrier toward the plumbing fitting on the second end below the certain height. The method includes the following four acts, not necessarily in the order recited: a) connecting an inlet pipe to a fitting at an inlet position for the housing to receive effluent from the source of effluent that contains FOG, b) connecting an outlet pipe to a fitting at an outlet position for the housing to discharge grey water to the sewer, c) arranging for a fitting in the housing that is neither the inlet position nor the outlet position to be plugged, and d) installing a conduit within the housing from the outlet position to the baffle.
The arranging step may include installing a plug. Alternatively, the arranging step may include removing plugs from the inlet position and the outlet position. The method may include installing a FOG separator between the two ends to separate FOG stratified above the grey water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood by a reading of the Detailed Description of the Examples of the Invention along with a review of the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the inside of a housing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inside of the housing of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an outside end view of one end of the housing of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing with disk skimmer.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a housing 12 is provided with two fittings 26 and 27 at one end and another fitting 28 (see FIG. 2) at the other end. Shrouding the fitting 28 is a baffle 18 that extends downwardly toward, but not all the way to, the bottom 123 of the housing 12. The baffle may have a top closed against the inside wall of the housing 12. The two fittings 26 and 27 on the one end of the housing 12 extend inwardly to provide pipe fittings 120 and 122 inside the housing 12. Similarly the baffle 18 has a pipe fitting 118 provided on it leading to its interior.
The housing 12 is provided with a cover (not shown in FIGS. 1 through 3) and can serve as a grease trap by itself, simply allowing FOG levels to build up in the housing 12 as effluent passes through it.
The connection of the housing to an effluent source such as a kitchen sink drain and a downstream sewer fitting can take numerous configurations. In the view of FIG. 2, a plug 31 is used to close off the fitting 28. A conduit 19 is connected at the fittings 120 and 118 to establish a flow path from the fitting 26 to the inside of the baffle housing 18. In this configuration the fitting 27 can be made the inlet with the effluent being discharged through the discharge 29 (see FIG. 2) into the interior of the housing 12. As the effluent resides in the housing 12, the FOG, which is normally lighter than water, can rise to the top of the effluent held in the housing 12. The grey water near the bottom 123, therefore, will be relatively free of FOG and can pass under the baffle 18, through the conduit 19 and exit at fitting 26 to the sewer (not shown) connected at fitting 26.
In a different configuration selected at installation, the plug can be located in the fitting 26 and not at 28, so that the grey water (the effluent less the FOG) can exit through the fitting 28 (free of a plug) to the connected sewer fitting.
Alternatively, the fitting 26 can be plugged, the outlet to the sewer can be connected using fitting 28, the fitting 118 in the baffle 18 can be plugged, and the conduit 19 can be deleted.
In a further installation option, the conduit 19 can be connected between fitting 118 and fitting 122, with fitting 26 serving as the inlet, fitting 28 being plugged and fitting 27 serving as the outlet to the connected sewer fitting.
As demonstrated, this housing construction enables the sewer fitting to be connected at the same side as the effluent inlet, or opposite side, allowing the installer freedom to configure the FOG separator as needed for the environs he or she confronts. Also, either of the fittings 26 and 27 can be selected as the inlet with the other being plugged or connected as the outlet.
FIGS. 1 through 3 show a simple grease trap which holds the FOG above the grey water. Periodic servicing can remove the FOG that has collected at the top of the body of effluent in housing 12. The apparatus, however, can receive additional equipment to facilitate FOG removal. Several ways to remove the collected FOG can be used, including the version seen in FIG. 4 involving a rotating disk skimmer.
As best seen in FIG. 4, the FOG removal assembly 10 includes a container 12 with sectional covers 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c. In a preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 4, the sectional covers are separate plates, preferably stainless steel. The assembly 10 has at least one rotatable disk 16 (shown in FIG. 4) supported by the center sectional cover 14 b. FIG. 4 also depicts a gear drive motor 20 and a trough 22 which are attached to the center sectional cover 14 b. As seen in FIG. 4, the trough 22 has scraper blades 24. The gear drive motor 20 supports and rotates the drive sprocket 38 which is cooperatively meshed with peripheral holes in the disk 16.
The separator has a rotating oleophilic disk 16 that is driven for rotation to pick up grease that accumulates at the top of the water held within the outer housing or tank 12. A collection container can be positioned to catch the oil/grease draining from the trough 22. These types of grease removal models are known as disk skimmers and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,881, entitled “Assembly for Oil and Grease Removal from Drain Water Mounted to Facilitate Parts Replacement,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. They are available as the Big Dipper line of FOG separators from Thermaco, Inc., of Asheboro, N.C. Other types of supplemental separators in the housing to remove the lighter liquid (FOG) from the inner volume of the housing can be used. Those options include belts that pass through the liquid.
Alternatively, the housing 12 can be built to include an openable valve for period removal of collected FOG. An example of this is seen in the application entitled “Improved Economical Waste Removal System For Fat, Oil and Grease” described in International Patent Publication WO-2014-082037, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. That apparatus enables FOG to be removed from the housing with an openable valve apparatus, with the FOG level being determined by a sight glass indicate when FOG removal is appropriate.
A variation within the scope of the broadest claims calls for all three plumbing fittings 26, 27 and 28 to initially be plugged. In the field a plumber can select two plugs for removal to meet a field installation need. This can entail removing plugs from the inlet position and the outlet position.
Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been omitted for the sake of conciseness and readability, but are properly within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (12)

What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for separating FOG from grey water in an effluent comprising
a housing having a first end having two plumbing fittings and a second end having one plumbing fitting,
a baffle mounted inside the housing at the second end forming a barrier to flow of liquid toward the plumbing fitting on the second end above a certain height, a plumbing fitting in the baffle for connection to a conduit to allow the flow of liquid past the barrier toward the plumbing fitting on the second end below the certain height, and
a plug to close one of the three plumbing fittings on the housing, and leaving available the other two plumbing fittings on the housing for connection to plumbing from a source of effluent and an outlet for grey water, respectively.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing and baffle are roto-molded.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing has an FOG separator positioned between the two ends to separate FOG stratified above the grey water.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the FOG separator includes an oleophilic disk that rotates to pull FOG upward to be scraped off to a FOG collector.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a conduit having two ends, one of the two ends connected to the plumbing fitting of the baffle to allow flow of liquid from past the baffle to the other end of the conduit, which is connected to one of the plumbing fittings on the first end.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the plug and the conduit are removably connectable, to enable a plumber in the field to select where to connect the plug and conduit to meet a field installation need.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein all three plumbing fittings are initially plugged, to enable a plumber in the field to select two plugs for removal to meet a field installation need.
8. An apparatus for separating FOG from grey water in an effluent comprising
a roto-molded housing having a first end having two plumbing fittings and a second end having one plumbing fitting,
a roto-molded baffle mounted inside the housing at the second end forming a barrier to flow of liquid toward the plumbing fitting on the second end above a certain height, a plumbing fitting in the baffle for connection to a conduit to allow the flow of liquid past the barrier toward the plumbing fitting on the second end below the certain height,
a conduit connectable to the plumbing fitting in the baffle and to one of the plumbing fittings on the first end to allow flow of liquid from past the baffle to the plumbing fitting on the first end connected to the conduit,
a plug to close one of the three plumbing fittings, and leaving available the other two plumbing fittings for connection to plumbing from a source of effluent and an outlet for grey water, respectively, wherein the plug and the conduit are removably connectable, to enable a plumber in the field to select where to connect the plug and conduit to meet a field installation need, and
an FOG separator positioned between the two ends to separate FOG stratified above the grey water including an oleophilic disk that rotates to pull FOG upward to be scraped off to a FOG collector.
9. A method of installing an apparatus for separating FOG from grey water in an effluent comprising
a sewer, the housing having a baffle mounted inside the housing at the second end, the baffle having a plumbing fitting and forming a barrier to flow of liquid toward the plumbing fitting on the second end above a certain height, and allowing the flow of liquid past the barrier toward the plumbing fitting on the second end below the certain height, and
the following four acts, not necessarily in the order recited:
connecting an inlet pipe to a fitting at an inlet position for the housing to receive effluent from the source of effluent that contains FOG,
connecting an outlet pipe to a fitting at an outlet position for the housing to discharge grey water to the sewer,
arranging for a fitting in the housing that is neither the inlet position nor the outlet position to be plugged, and
installing a conduit within the housing from the outlet position to the plumbing fitting of the baffle.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9 including installing a FOG separator between the two ends to separate FOG stratified above the grey water.
11. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the arranging step includes installing a plug.
12. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the arranging step includes removing plugs from the inlet position and the outlet position.
US14/957,779 2014-12-05 2015-12-03 Indoor grease trap with multiple plumber fitting possibilities Active 2035-12-20 US9771711B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/957,779 US9771711B1 (en) 2014-12-05 2015-12-03 Indoor grease trap with multiple plumber fitting possibilities

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201462087886P 2014-12-05 2014-12-05
US14/957,779 US9771711B1 (en) 2014-12-05 2015-12-03 Indoor grease trap with multiple plumber fitting possibilities

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US9771711B1 true US9771711B1 (en) 2017-09-26

Family

ID=59886378

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/957,779 Active 2035-12-20 US9771711B1 (en) 2014-12-05 2015-12-03 Indoor grease trap with multiple plumber fitting possibilities

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US9771711B1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9889392B2 (en) * 2016-06-03 2018-02-13 Teik Sim Quah Grease separator

Citations (67)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US530684A (en) 1894-12-11 Grease-trap
US773362A (en) 1904-03-14 1904-10-25 Asahel G Wedge Drive-gearing.
GB191410958A (en) 1914-05-04 1915-04-01 Edward Henry Sams Apparatus and Process for the Separation of Fats, Oils and the like from Liquids and Semi-liquids.
US1159044A (en) 1914-09-11 1915-11-02 Kelly Separator Company Separator-trap.
US1164527A (en) 1915-06-04 1915-12-14 Kelly Separator Company Grease-trap.
US1200951A (en) 1916-01-19 1916-10-10 Kelly Separator Company Separator.
US1864511A (en) 1924-05-01 1932-06-21 Sharples Specialty Co Method and apparatus for separating immiscible substances
US2138985A (en) * 1937-05-26 1938-12-06 Henry W Seestedt Grease separator for sinks and the like
US2284737A (en) * 1938-10-04 1942-06-02 Ruth Newman Apparatus for separating liquids of different specific gravities
US2792125A (en) * 1952-11-04 1957-05-14 Teddy Gene Worley Septic tank
US3365060A (en) 1964-08-04 1968-01-23 American Standard Inc Settling system
US3426902A (en) 1967-09-27 1969-02-11 Exxon Research Engineering Co Liquid skimming device
JPS4830826B1 (en) 1969-01-23 1973-09-25
US3872017A (en) 1972-10-18 1975-03-18 Fmc Corp Skimming blade
US4208291A (en) 1979-05-31 1980-06-17 KFC San Juan, Inc. Apparatus for separating solids of relatively low specific gravity from heavier liquids
US4235726A (en) 1979-03-12 1980-11-25 Baker-Waldeck Associates Automatic grease separating apparatus
US4268396A (en) 1979-07-23 1981-05-19 Lowe Engineering Company Oil recovery apparatus and method
US4400274A (en) 1981-06-25 1983-08-23 Protos Bill K Separator
DE3215896A1 (en) 1982-04-29 1983-11-03 Buderus Ag, 6330 Wetzlar Fat separator
US4472277A (en) 1982-08-11 1984-09-18 Christopher Bailey Grease trap
JPS60120022A (en) 1983-12-05 1985-06-27 Hitachi Ltd Plastic gear
SU1269809A1 (en) 1983-10-21 1986-11-15 Запорожский Научно-Исследовательский Конструкторско-Технологический Институт По Машинам Для Подготовки И Внесения В Почву Минеральных Удобрений Water and oil separator
NL8502049A (en) 1985-07-16 1987-02-16 Ocra Bv Tank to separate e.g. oil, grease etc. from water - with closure cover, overflow and flow deflecting partitions, has all medium contact surfaces consisting of plastic, pref. HD polyethylene
US4651762A (en) 1985-07-01 1987-03-24 Bowden Industries, Inc. Agitation parts degreaser
US4681680A (en) 1982-06-11 1987-07-21 Elf France Device for the selective and continuous recovery of hydrocarbons present in the form of a sheet at the surface of an aqueous medium
US4684467A (en) 1986-06-05 1987-08-04 Energy Machinery Oil separator
US4789487A (en) * 1987-10-08 1988-12-06 Wallace Leland J Septic tank with integral direct distribution system
GB2216821A (en) 1988-02-08 1989-10-18 Pont A Mousson Grease trap
US5100545A (en) 1990-12-03 1992-03-31 Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc. Separation tank
US5133881A (en) 1990-07-25 1992-07-28 Thermaco, Inc. Assembly for oil and grease removal from drainwater mounted to facilitate parts replacement
US5151185A (en) 1989-06-06 1992-09-29 Nikolaus Hammerschmitt Light-liquid separator
US5167815A (en) 1989-05-30 1992-12-01 Blaser & Co. Ag Apparatus for removing substances from the surface of a liquid
US5225085A (en) 1991-11-07 1993-07-06 Napier Laksir P Apparatus and process for the separation and reclamation of selected components in grease trap waste
EP0555672A1 (en) 1992-02-04 1993-08-18 Passavant-Werke Ag Separator for light material from waste water, i.e. high-viscous light material or light material coagulating during cool down
US5344566A (en) 1992-03-17 1994-09-06 Clancey William F Deleading wastewater reduction process
US5360555A (en) 1993-09-24 1994-11-01 Clearline Systems, Inc. Solids handling in an oil/grease separator
US5405538A (en) 1994-01-07 1995-04-11 Clearline Systems, Inc. Immiscible liquids separator
US5520825A (en) 1993-11-08 1996-05-28 Mctighe Industries, Inc. Oil-water separator
US5522990A (en) 1994-08-08 1996-06-04 Davidian; Steven Oil removal device with integrated gravity separator
US5560826A (en) 1992-03-18 1996-10-01 Szereday; Pal Device for separating supernatant, in particular liquid pollutant, e.g. oil and the liquid, e.g. water
US5714069A (en) 1996-09-25 1998-02-03 Sager; Robert Apparatus for removing grease from waste water
US5827425A (en) 1995-12-21 1998-10-27 Mckinnon; Nick Grease recovery system and methods
US5861098A (en) 1996-11-27 1999-01-19 Mdk Enterprises, Inc. Apparatus and method for removing grease from drain water in restaurant operations
US5915878A (en) 1997-01-07 1999-06-29 Carpenter; Thomas Joseph Silt fence machine
US5951878A (en) 1998-03-20 1999-09-14 Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for cleaning filter material in a filter apparatus utilizing a suction generating nozzle
US5971163A (en) 1998-07-02 1999-10-26 Gurfinkel; Benjamin Portable sealable recovery container
US5993646A (en) 1998-05-01 1999-11-30 Norwood Industries, Inc. Grease trap
US6056128A (en) 1998-08-04 2000-05-02 Glasgow; James A. Coalescer with removable cartridge
US6059963A (en) 1995-12-19 2000-05-09 Biorem Ag Fat and oil removal installation
DE19907840A1 (en) 1999-02-24 2000-08-31 Awas Heinz Ihne Light liquid separator for separating oil from water has a shut-off valve controlled by the level in the separation chamber and a shut-off valve controlled by the level in the light liquid tank
WO2000066242A1 (en) 1999-04-30 2000-11-09 Cmy Associates, Llc Preloader system for separating sewage materials
US6235201B1 (en) 1998-05-14 2001-05-22 Amcol International Corporation Method and apparatus for removing oil from water including monitoring of adsorbent saturation
US20010027954A1 (en) 2000-02-23 2001-10-11 Canplas Industries Ltd. Wastewater separator and method of using same
US20020003104A1 (en) 2000-04-28 2002-01-10 Evanovich Steven R. Rotomolded hydraulic reservoir with integral filter bowl
US6491830B1 (en) 2001-05-16 2002-12-10 Thermaco, Inc. Kitchen grease removal system
US6517715B1 (en) 1999-11-12 2003-02-11 Thermaco, Inc. Readily serviceable separator unit with a focusing plate
US20030042213A1 (en) 2001-08-16 2003-03-06 Rehrig Pacific Company Water/oil separator
US6800195B1 (en) 2002-06-04 2004-10-05 Thermaco, Inc. Low cost grease removal system
US6849176B1 (en) 2003-09-04 2005-02-01 Thermaco, Inc. Grease separator for kitchen sinks and other applications
US20060054550A1 (en) 2004-09-16 2006-03-16 Batten William C Low cost oil/grease separator
US7186346B1 (en) 2004-01-28 2007-03-06 Thermaco, Inc. Low cost indoor grease trap
US20070251879A1 (en) 2006-04-27 2007-11-01 Batten William C Passive grease trap using separator technology
US7311818B1 (en) 2006-09-28 2007-12-25 Benjamin Gurfinkel Water separation unit
US20080061012A1 (en) 2006-06-12 2008-03-13 Barry Hodgekins Grease interceptor having a grease removal device
US20080179262A1 (en) 2007-01-26 2008-07-31 Thermaco, Inc. Oil/grease separator with interchangeable inlet and outlet
US20080237121A1 (en) * 2007-03-30 2008-10-02 Schier Products Company Interceptor system and a method for pressure testing
JP2009262066A (en) 2008-04-25 2009-11-12 Kimura Giken:Kk Wastewater treatment apparatus

Patent Citations (74)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US530684A (en) 1894-12-11 Grease-trap
US773362A (en) 1904-03-14 1904-10-25 Asahel G Wedge Drive-gearing.
GB191410958A (en) 1914-05-04 1915-04-01 Edward Henry Sams Apparatus and Process for the Separation of Fats, Oils and the like from Liquids and Semi-liquids.
US1159044A (en) 1914-09-11 1915-11-02 Kelly Separator Company Separator-trap.
US1164527A (en) 1915-06-04 1915-12-14 Kelly Separator Company Grease-trap.
US1200951A (en) 1916-01-19 1916-10-10 Kelly Separator Company Separator.
US1864511A (en) 1924-05-01 1932-06-21 Sharples Specialty Co Method and apparatus for separating immiscible substances
US2138985A (en) * 1937-05-26 1938-12-06 Henry W Seestedt Grease separator for sinks and the like
US2284737A (en) * 1938-10-04 1942-06-02 Ruth Newman Apparatus for separating liquids of different specific gravities
US2792125A (en) * 1952-11-04 1957-05-14 Teddy Gene Worley Septic tank
US3365060A (en) 1964-08-04 1968-01-23 American Standard Inc Settling system
US3426902A (en) 1967-09-27 1969-02-11 Exxon Research Engineering Co Liquid skimming device
JPS4830826B1 (en) 1969-01-23 1973-09-25
US3872017A (en) 1972-10-18 1975-03-18 Fmc Corp Skimming blade
US4235726A (en) 1979-03-12 1980-11-25 Baker-Waldeck Associates Automatic grease separating apparatus
US4208291A (en) 1979-05-31 1980-06-17 KFC San Juan, Inc. Apparatus for separating solids of relatively low specific gravity from heavier liquids
US4268396A (en) 1979-07-23 1981-05-19 Lowe Engineering Company Oil recovery apparatus and method
US4400274A (en) 1981-06-25 1983-08-23 Protos Bill K Separator
DE3215896A1 (en) 1982-04-29 1983-11-03 Buderus Ag, 6330 Wetzlar Fat separator
US4681680A (en) 1982-06-11 1987-07-21 Elf France Device for the selective and continuous recovery of hydrocarbons present in the form of a sheet at the surface of an aqueous medium
US4472277A (en) 1982-08-11 1984-09-18 Christopher Bailey Grease trap
SU1269809A1 (en) 1983-10-21 1986-11-15 Запорожский Научно-Исследовательский Конструкторско-Технологический Институт По Машинам Для Подготовки И Внесения В Почву Минеральных Удобрений Water and oil separator
JPS60120022A (en) 1983-12-05 1985-06-27 Hitachi Ltd Plastic gear
US4651762A (en) 1985-07-01 1987-03-24 Bowden Industries, Inc. Agitation parts degreaser
NL8502049A (en) 1985-07-16 1987-02-16 Ocra Bv Tank to separate e.g. oil, grease etc. from water - with closure cover, overflow and flow deflecting partitions, has all medium contact surfaces consisting of plastic, pref. HD polyethylene
US4684467A (en) 1986-06-05 1987-08-04 Energy Machinery Oil separator
US4789487A (en) * 1987-10-08 1988-12-06 Wallace Leland J Septic tank with integral direct distribution system
GB2216821A (en) 1988-02-08 1989-10-18 Pont A Mousson Grease trap
CH678438A5 (en) 1988-02-08 1991-09-13 Pont A Mousson
US5167815A (en) 1989-05-30 1992-12-01 Blaser & Co. Ag Apparatus for removing substances from the surface of a liquid
US5151185A (en) 1989-06-06 1992-09-29 Nikolaus Hammerschmitt Light-liquid separator
US5133881A (en) 1990-07-25 1992-07-28 Thermaco, Inc. Assembly for oil and grease removal from drainwater mounted to facilitate parts replacement
US5100545A (en) 1990-12-03 1992-03-31 Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc. Separation tank
US5225085A (en) 1991-11-07 1993-07-06 Napier Laksir P Apparatus and process for the separation and reclamation of selected components in grease trap waste
EP0555672A1 (en) 1992-02-04 1993-08-18 Passavant-Werke Ag Separator for light material from waste water, i.e. high-viscous light material or light material coagulating during cool down
US5344566A (en) 1992-03-17 1994-09-06 Clancey William F Deleading wastewater reduction process
US5560826A (en) 1992-03-18 1996-10-01 Szereday; Pal Device for separating supernatant, in particular liquid pollutant, e.g. oil and the liquid, e.g. water
US5360555A (en) 1993-09-24 1994-11-01 Clearline Systems, Inc. Solids handling in an oil/grease separator
US5520825A (en) 1993-11-08 1996-05-28 Mctighe Industries, Inc. Oil-water separator
US5405538A (en) 1994-01-07 1995-04-11 Clearline Systems, Inc. Immiscible liquids separator
US5522990A (en) 1994-08-08 1996-06-04 Davidian; Steven Oil removal device with integrated gravity separator
US6059963A (en) 1995-12-19 2000-05-09 Biorem Ag Fat and oil removal installation
US5827425A (en) 1995-12-21 1998-10-27 Mckinnon; Nick Grease recovery system and methods
US5714069A (en) 1996-09-25 1998-02-03 Sager; Robert Apparatus for removing grease from waste water
US5861098A (en) 1996-11-27 1999-01-19 Mdk Enterprises, Inc. Apparatus and method for removing grease from drain water in restaurant operations
US5915878A (en) 1997-01-07 1999-06-29 Carpenter; Thomas Joseph Silt fence machine
US5951878A (en) 1998-03-20 1999-09-14 Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for cleaning filter material in a filter apparatus utilizing a suction generating nozzle
US5993646A (en) 1998-05-01 1999-11-30 Norwood Industries, Inc. Grease trap
US6235201B1 (en) 1998-05-14 2001-05-22 Amcol International Corporation Method and apparatus for removing oil from water including monitoring of adsorbent saturation
US5971163A (en) 1998-07-02 1999-10-26 Gurfinkel; Benjamin Portable sealable recovery container
US6056128A (en) 1998-08-04 2000-05-02 Glasgow; James A. Coalescer with removable cartridge
DE19907840A1 (en) 1999-02-24 2000-08-31 Awas Heinz Ihne Light liquid separator for separating oil from water has a shut-off valve controlled by the level in the separation chamber and a shut-off valve controlled by the level in the light liquid tank
WO2000066242A1 (en) 1999-04-30 2000-11-09 Cmy Associates, Llc Preloader system for separating sewage materials
US6517715B1 (en) 1999-11-12 2003-02-11 Thermaco, Inc. Readily serviceable separator unit with a focusing plate
US20010027954A1 (en) 2000-02-23 2001-10-11 Canplas Industries Ltd. Wastewater separator and method of using same
US6619310B2 (en) 2000-04-28 2003-09-16 Schroeder Industries L.L.C. Rotomolded hydraulic reservoir with integral baffle
US20020003104A1 (en) 2000-04-28 2002-01-10 Evanovich Steven R. Rotomolded hydraulic reservoir with integral filter bowl
US6491830B1 (en) 2001-05-16 2002-12-10 Thermaco, Inc. Kitchen grease removal system
US20030042213A1 (en) 2001-08-16 2003-03-06 Rehrig Pacific Company Water/oil separator
US6800195B1 (en) 2002-06-04 2004-10-05 Thermaco, Inc. Low cost grease removal system
US6849176B1 (en) 2003-09-04 2005-02-01 Thermaco, Inc. Grease separator for kitchen sinks and other applications
US7153439B1 (en) 2003-09-04 2006-12-26 Thermaco, Inc. Grease separator for kitchen sinks and other applications
US7186346B1 (en) 2004-01-28 2007-03-06 Thermaco, Inc. Low cost indoor grease trap
US7208080B2 (en) 2004-09-16 2007-04-24 Thermaco, Inc. Low cost oil/grease separator
US20060054550A1 (en) 2004-09-16 2006-03-16 Batten William C Low cost oil/grease separator
US7326338B2 (en) 2004-09-16 2008-02-05 Thermaco, Inc. Low cost oil/grease separator
US7596845B2 (en) 2004-09-16 2009-10-06 Thermaco, Inc. Method of assembly of low cost oil/grease separator
US20070251879A1 (en) 2006-04-27 2007-11-01 Batten William C Passive grease trap using separator technology
US20080061012A1 (en) 2006-06-12 2008-03-13 Barry Hodgekins Grease interceptor having a grease removal device
US7311818B1 (en) 2006-09-28 2007-12-25 Benjamin Gurfinkel Water separation unit
US20080179262A1 (en) 2007-01-26 2008-07-31 Thermaco, Inc. Oil/grease separator with interchangeable inlet and outlet
US7431852B2 (en) 2007-01-26 2008-10-07 Thermaco, Inc. Oil/grease separator with interchangeable inlet and outlet
US20080237121A1 (en) * 2007-03-30 2008-10-02 Schier Products Company Interceptor system and a method for pressure testing
JP2009262066A (en) 2008-04-25 2009-11-12 Kimura Giken:Kk Wastewater treatment apparatus

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9889392B2 (en) * 2016-06-03 2018-02-13 Teik Sim Quah Grease separator

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2007243057B2 (en) Passive grease trap using separator technology
AU2008319070B2 (en) Passive grease trap with pre-stage for solids separation
US10526216B1 (en) Passive grease trap using separator technology
AU2014224431B2 (en) Fluid treatment apparatus and method
US5746912A (en) Multicell separator
US7431852B2 (en) Oil/grease separator with interchangeable inlet and outlet
MX2015006657A (en) Waste removal system for fat, oil, grease.
US7452472B2 (en) Grease interceptor having a grease removal device
KR100853253B1 (en) A device for collecting waste water for kitchen
US9771711B1 (en) Indoor grease trap with multiple plumber fitting possibilities
US20150183664A1 (en) Automatic Rubber Belt Skimmer for Restaurant Wastewater FOG Interceptor
EP1783287A2 (en) Waste water separator device
US11377837B2 (en) Immiscible liquids separation apparatus and method
CN116348648A (en) Direct grease and/or solids collection system
US10058798B2 (en) Outlet well cover for an in-line grease interceptor
US11554971B2 (en) Variable flow adjuster for grease separator
JP2004033862A (en) Oil separating apparatus
US1396384A (en) Separating-trap
PL235767B1 (en) Movable outflow trap

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: THERMACO, INC., NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BATTEN, RANDOLPH;BATTEN, WILLIAM C.;MCBRIDE, TRAVIS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20160325 TO 20160328;REEL/FRAME:038182/0289

AS Assignment

Owner name: THERMACO, INC., NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT ADD INVENTOR BRUCE W. KYLES INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE INITIAL ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038182 FRAME 0289. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNORS:BATTEN, RANDOLPH;BATTEN, WILLIAM C.;KYLES, BRUCE W.;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20160325 TO 20160329;REEL/FRAME:038359/0443

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YR, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 4